Collapsible mechanic bench



H. H. HARRIS.

COLLAPSIBLE 'MECH ANIC BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 2 1, |920.

1,429,5 7,; Patented Sept. 19, 1922.

Patented Sept. 19, 1922..

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Application filed December 27,1929, seri l No. 43 ,24

To all whom it may concern .1

Be it known that 1, HUG H. Harms, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alexandria, in the county of Arlington and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Mechanic Benches, which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a portable or knock-down bench for mechanics. 'lheobject is to provide a bench which may be erected'in a small room without causing injury to the interior of such a room, or to occupy excessive space' Another object of the invention is to provide such a bench which is capable of being folded into a compact form, and whenso folded to be readilycarried upon the shoulder of a mechanic, or transported without objection on any common carrier; to'this end the frame is preferably made of seasoned Wood, such as oak, thereby giving maximum strength with a minimum amount of weight.

The combination and arrangement of contacting faces and connectingstraps is such as to provide a rigid frame When in the operative position without adding excess weight to the device.

The bench is primarily for mechanics engaged in .pipe fitting, such as plumbing, gas fitting, heating and electric work. It will be found extremely valuable on repair and remodeling work.

The frame in general is made'of 901% inch material, although the exact size of the members forms no part of the invention, and does not limit it. I j

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the bench in operative position. 3

Fig. 2, is a vertical section taken through the bench in its operative position.

Fig. 3, is an end view thereof. i, is a view in the inoperative or folded position.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The bench is in the form of a right triangle and is composed of a base member 1, an

upright member 2, and a member}, corre sponding to the hypotenuse of the r ght triangle.

Members 1 and 3 by a pair of strap members i:

bits

are pivotally connected mounte: by

0 engaging the respective frame memprovided to serve as aseat and support for y the lower or formed end of "member 3.. In thls seat a pin or lug 7 maybe provided to center the member 3 in'th e seat when the bench is in the operative position. i i t-llniilarly members Qand 3 are connected by means of a notch'6, straps'et' and bolts 5 .lnXP6I1 GIlC8 has shown that a maximum of rl g dityis obtained when thestraps 4: and 4 form, a right angle with their respective adj accnt notched 'framei members.

By referenceto Fig; i it will be observed that 'the arrangement of 'partsfpermits the foldn 'gof the members when the inoperative position is desired. it

The connection between members land'Q is'of a detachable characterj A bolt ,7 passes transversely throughbase member 1. A slot 9 straddlesthisbolt on the medial line of the base memberl' Pivoted to the bolt in this slot is a strap 8. This straplis adapted to enter a slot 10 in the end of the. memberQ, when the device is inoperative'posit'ion, as 1s shown in Fig 2Q .i pin'll'is then passed through the bifr'ircationsfof member 2 and the strap '8. This locks the cleviceinthe' operative position. Seating pins similar to member 7. prevent. any relative motion -be tween members land-2. A chain] 12 may-be attached to pin l1 to prevent the loss thereof.

lVhen it is desired to. fold the bench, as 'in Fig, 4, pinfl l is withdrawn; memberlor-leg 2 is' foldedbetwe'en members or legs -'1 and 3, andstrap 8 is passed through opening 13 in member or leg 2 and openinglei in member or leg ,3, and pin 11 again passed through the opening instrap 8." By this arrangement no extra parts are needed to secure the device in the inoperative position. Mounted on member or leg 2 ma support l5 which may carry; any suitable socket or universal joint 16' for the attachment of a brace '17. This brace maybe attached to a Weill or floor as necessity demands. In the'folded position this brace lies al'ongmember'or leg land is secured by a chain 118.

The base member 1 is provided with suitable countersunk holes 19 through 'which lugs or bolts can be passed if additional Socuring means be desirable. Members or legs her or legs. These bolts are to strengthen the wood and prevent longitudinal splitting of the various members or legs. This feature will again be referred to.

Member or leg 2 is provided with a pocket 21 for carrying'extra bolts, nuts, etc. This member or leg is also provided with two holes 22 which are set at an angle to the faces of the member or leg. This angle is such that a pipe or tool handle passed through the hole will be deflected away from member or leg 3. Also these angles provide sufficient slope to act as tool holders. The faces of these openings are scalloped or dished out. This is also true of the openings 22 in memberor leg 3. (Fig. These holes 22 are for the primary purpose of bending, ofi'setting, or straightening any sized pipe up to 1 inch. A straight pipe 18 passed through one of these holes. Pressure is applied to the pipe and a bend made. /Vere the edges of the holes 22 sharp there would be a tendency to break or close the pipe; but by the provision of the rounded shoulders a smooth bend can be accomplished. The bolts 20 are very desirable in preventing any tendency oi the wood to split, while under the strain ofthe bending pipe. Several sizes of holes may be employed if desired. By havlng the openings 22 facing upward, pipe can be bent in a small room as the diagonal distance between the floor and ceiling may be taken advantage of. In base member or leg 1 is found a pocket- 24'. Directly over this pocket, and in a vertical continuation or its side walls, is another opening 23 in member or leg 3. These openings are in alignment so that a die-stock handle can be held in an up right position. By this arrangement any oil'which might drip from the dies will be caught in pocket 24:. i

Provision is made for mounting a vlse on member or leg 3 by providing a plurality ofholes 24:. Through these holes are passed countersunk bolts 25. By PlOVlCling a plurality of holes various sizes oi Vises may be used or adjustability in the height of a vise may be obtained. A suit able book 26 is provided on the face of member or leg 3 for holding a pipe cutter. Likewise a pair of oppositely curved hooks 27 are provided along the side of member or leg 3 for holding a wrench. it is to be observed that the location and arrangement of'these' hooks prevents any possible interference of the tools with one another. At the upper end of member or leg 3 are found seats for two receptacles 28 and 29. These receptacles are set at such an angle that they will be parallel to the floor when the bench is in its operative position. One receptacle is to secure an oil can and the other to secure white lead or dope.

It will thus be seen that T have provided a compact bench which furnishes all the bench purposes usually required on a job, and at tie same time is capable of being easily and perfectly knocked down, packed and carried;

If desired the various members or legs may be formed of metal. I am aware that wnen in the operative position, one side of said triangle being the base member of the bench.

2. ln a collapsible work bench, a pivotally connected i'rame comprising a plurality of parts of" substantially uniform dimensions and coin'iguration, all of which in the operative position, are secured to each other by means'oit co-operating bolts, straps, and nuts on the bolts, together with interfitting notches, and formed ends.

3. A collapsible Work bench comprising a'pivotally connected frame, certain of the members or said frame being provided with notches, certain of the members of said frame being provided with formed ends'to iit said notches, the frame forming a right triangle when in the operative position.

e. in a right angled collapsible work bench, a base member having near one end a notch, a hypotenuse member having a formed end to co-operate with the notch in the base member, a second notch formed near the end of the hypotenuse member, a perpendicular member having a formed end engaging the notch of the hypotenuse member, a notch at its opposite end co-operating as a securing means with the base member, together with auxiliary bracing means.

5. In a collapsible Work bench, a pivotally connected frame, certain of the members oil: said frame being notched, certain of said pivoted co'amections consisting of straps secured by bolts adjoining said notches, said straps extending at substantially a right angle to said notched members. i

6. In a collapsible, work bench a pivotallyconnected frame, one of said pivotal connect-ions consisting of a metal strap fitting corresponding slots in two adjoined members, one end of said strap being secured to one member by a bolt and to the other member by a removable pin.

7.111 a pivotally connected collapsible work bench, frame members provided with holes, one oi said pivoted'connections in cluding a aeri'orated metal strap, said strap being adapted to pass through said holes and means operating with one of said perforations, to secure the device in collapsed position.

8. In a device of the character described, a plurality of pivotally connected frame members, one of said members having a pocket formed therein, another of said members having a hole passing therethrough which comes into alignment with said pocket when the device is in the operative position.

9. A collapsible work bench defining, in its operative position a right angled triangle, provided at the apex with horizontal receptacles.

10. In a collapsible Work bench a plurality of pivotally connected members, one of said members being provided with a plurality of bolts for adjustably securing thereto a vise.

11. In a collapsible Work bench a plurality of pivotally connected members, a pair of such members meeting, in the operative position of the device, at an acute angle, one member being provided with a plurality of openings set at an angle such that the openings tend to deflect an object passed through them away from the face of the second member.

12. A collapsible Work bench, provided with a plurality of pivotally connected members, one of said members being provided with a plurality of hooks Whose bills extend in diverging relation to one another, I

whereby different styles of tools can be held without interfering with each other.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

HUGH H. HARRIS. Witnesses A. E. MANSFIELD, E. M. Pnrrrr'r. 

